DiZoglio soars to First Essex state Senate seat

Wednesday

Nov 7, 2018 at 10:41 AMNov 7, 2018 at 10:41 AM

Outgoing state Rep. Diana DiZoglio, D-Methuen, will have a new title in January: state senator.

DiZoglio sailed to victory in the race for the First Essex Senate seat – which stretches from Greater Newburyport down through Haverhill, Methuen and parts of North Andover – with just over 65 percent of the vote and defeating her Republican opponent, political newcomer Alex Leighton Williams of Amesbury.

In North Andover she performed even better, winning about 71 percent of the vote in town.

"I’m tremendously humbled and honored to be standing here with so many people that invested their time, that believed in me as somebody who can represent this community effectively," DiZoglio said at her watch party at Maria’s restaurant in Haverhill. "I just want to say a huge thank you to everybody who put a bumper sticker on your car, who put a sign on your lawn, who volunteered, who came out to our campaign office, who made a couple of phone calls, who talked to friends, who talked to family, who got the word out there. We could not do this without you."

DiZoglio, 35, ran on her record of legislative achievements and efforts in the House, ranging from veterans services and infrastructure safety to fighting opioid addiction and sexual harassment, and extended her support base from the Merrimack Valley to Greater Newburyport.

"We’re the ones that you read about in the newspapers, you are all the unsung heroes and heroines," DiZoglio said to her supporters. "You are the people that make what happens at the state house possible. You go out, you do the hard work, you’re working in the trenches. You don’t get the credit for it, and you should."

DiZoglio was first elected state representative for the 14th Essex District – which includes parts of North Andover, Haverhill, Methuen and Lawrence – in 2012 with a primary upset unseating incumbent Democrat and longtime state Rep. David Torrisi of North Andover.